Texans grant C.J. Stroud's wish with Marvin Harrison Jr. reunion

Wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Texans grant C.J. Stroud's wish with Marvin Harrison Jr. reunion

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Oct 12, 2026 8:32 AM ET

Houston Texans fourth-year quarterback C.J. Stroud better prepare his guest bedroom. One of his college buddies is coming to H-Town.

On Sunday, the Arizona Cardinals agreed to trade third-year wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and a 2027 seventh-rounder to the Texans for a 2027 second-rounder and a 2027 sixth-rounder. That will reunite him with Stroud, his Ohio State Buckeye teammate from 2021-22.

Marvin Harrison Jr. trade fulfills C.J. Stroud request

Before the Cardinals selected Harrison with pick No. 4 in the 2024 NFL Draft, Stroud said, "I would love to play with him again." The QB reiterated that he's a fan of the WR after learning of the news.

"I think he brings a dynamic playmaker," Stroud said Sunday following a 26-3 win over the Tennessee Titans. "I loved him in college, probably the hardest worker I've been around in my life."

The duo is back‼️@MarvHarrisonJr is joining @CJ7STROUD with the @HoustonTexans pic.twitter.com/GXWZupd1ID
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) October 11, 2026

Stroud acknowledged that he and the front office discussed Harrison before the trade. Clearly, those conversations convinced Houston that the WR was worth a gamble.

#Texans C.J. Stroud on adding former @OhioStateFB teammate WR Marvin Harrison via trade today, “I think he brings a dynamic playmaker, somebody who runs great routes…I loved him in college, probably the hardest worker I’ve been around in my life.”
Stroud also acknowledged he had… pic.twitter.com/59m7amGgJX
— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) October 11, 2026

Harrison, the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison Sr., was considered a generational prospect but struggled to meet lofty expectations in Arizona. In three seasons with the franchise, he had 108 receptions for 1,578 yards and 13 touchdowns and made no Pro Bowls.

Marvin Harrison Jr. certainly would've benefitted from a more stable QB situation. He played with Kyler Murray and Jacoby Brissett as a Cardinal. Murray is now with the Minnesota Vikings, while Brissett is a career journeyman.

Playing with Stroud may help Marvin Harrison Jr. unlock his potential. When the WR played with the QB at Ohio State, he caught 88 passes for 1,402 yards and 17 TDs. Stroud was a Heisman finalist in both seasons.

The Texans hope they reproduce these prolific numbers immediately. Houston, which entered the season as a Super Bowl contender, now risks missing the playoffs after starting 1-4.

With that in mind, the Texans should encourage them to room together until Marvin Harrison Jr. finds a place in Houston. The QB and the WR have some catching up to do before they try to save the AFC South club's season.

Clark Dalton

Clark Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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